whittemore



(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l J. M. WHITTEMORB.

BREBGH LOADING PIRBARM.

Patented Nov. 30, 1897.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. M. WHITTEMORE.

BRBBCH LOADING PIREARM.

Patented Nov. 30, 1897.

llNrTnn STATES PATENT Finca.

JAMES M. IVHITTEMORE, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

BREECH-LOADING FIREARM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 594,716, dated November 30, 1897 Application filed November 24,1891. Serial No. 412.920. (No model.)

T0 all whom t may concern.'

Beit known that I, JAMES M. WHITTEMORE, of Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Firearms; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanyng drawings, in which- Figure l shows a view in side elevation of my gun with the receiver side broken away to show the parts of the breech mechanism. Fig. 2 is a similar View with the parts shown as revolved back; Fig. 3, a detail view, partly in section, showing the parts in the positions which they occupy when the locking-brace arm has been pulled back so that the brace is just passing off the recoil-surface. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the gun as represented in Fig. l. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the locking-brace; Fig. 6, a detail sectional View of the same; Fig. 7, a detail perspective View of the hammer; Fig. 8, a detail perspective view of the breech-block and extractor.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the figures.

The object of my invention is to provide an improvement in breech-loading guns; and to this end it consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, as hereinafter described, and specifically pointed out in the claims. v

In the drawings, A designates the barrel, which is, as shown, screwed into the receiver B in the ordinary way. The recess or opening in the receiver in which the breech and lock mechanism is contained is preferably ninetenths of an inch from side to side. Fastened in any desired way at its ends in the cheeks of the receiver and passing across the receiverrecess is the pin C, upon which are journaled the breech-block D, the hammer E, and the extractor and ejector F; This pin, which serves as the center of these several parts, is preferably ive-sixteenths of an inch in diameter, though it can obviously be made larger or smaller, as desired. The solid forward and upper portion of the receiver is milled away below the barrel, as shown at B', on a curve described from the center of the pin C and with a radius equal to that of the curved solid forwardly-projecting portion D of the breechblock. This block is nine-tenths of an inch in thickness to fit the receiver-recess. As

shown, it consists of the cylindrical lower porto fit the curvature of the top of the recess in the receiver under the barrel. With this construction when, as shown in Fig. 2, the breech-block is revolved back the receiverrecess in front of the main portion Ds'of the block will be closed, so that no dust or dirt can get into it.

On the rear side of the breech-block and extending across the rear face thereof is the longitudinal rib or projection D4. Itisin the form of a portion of acylinder greater than one-half-preferably six-tenths. On this projection rocksY the breech-block locking-brace F', of the same thickness as the frame, which at its forward end is provided with a socket F2, fitting the projection D4 and extending around and embracing a portion of it greater than ahalf-cylinder. With this construction a socket-joint is formed, so thatwhile the brace is free to rock on the projection D4 it can only be removed therefrom by sliding it od one end thereof.

The amount of possible rocking motion of the brace F' is determined by the striking of the upper and lower portions f and fagainst the breech-block above and below the proj ection D4.

A spiral spring f2 is placed between the breech-block and the locking-brace below the socket-rib or projection and tends to keep the brace usually thrown up into the position shown in Fig. l. The ends of the spring are let into and held in suitable shallow recesses in the breech-block and locking-brace. Any other form of spring can be used, as desired, for the same purpose. The amount of rocking motion of the brace as allowed for in the drawings is about one-twentieth of a revolution. This I ind sufficient for any purpose.

The rear end of the locking-brace is, as shown, preferably made three-eighths of an inch in depth and is curved ou the arc of a circle described from the center of curvature of the projection or socket-rib D4-that is, from the axial center of motion of the brace or the rib. vWhen the parts are in the positions shown in Fig. l, this curved rear end of IOO the brace bears against the recoil-surface G, which is of the same extent as the surface of the rear end of the brace and is curved to correspond with its curvature. The brace is provided on the right side with an arm H. The breech-block is cut away on that side, as shown, to allow of the necessary vibration of this arm between it and the side of the receiver, the depth of the cut and thickness of the arm being such that the arm is flush with the side of the portion of the block not cut away. The arm Il at its upperend is formed with an outwardlyextending portion H', which can be easily and readily grasped bythe lingers while the gun is held at the shoulder.

The locking-brace is milled out or slotted vertically at its rear end, as shown. This slot is three-tenths of an inch in width, so that the arms or plates F3 F3, forming the eXtreme rear end of the brace, are each three-tenths of an inch in thickness. The top or upper surface of the brace is curved, as shown, so that when said brace is revolved down on its pivot through the arc of its possible movement its upper surface will be concentric with a circle described from the center of pin C and coincident with the upper end of the curved surface at the rear end of the brace. The rear end of the receiver-recess is curved on a circle also described from the axial center of the pin C and passing through the lower edge of the recoil-surface G.

If desired, the upper surface of the lockingbrace need not be curved throughout its length, as set forth above. It is sufficient if only a portion of it at the rear end of the brace be curved with the radius described, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3. With this construction when the brace arm is pulled back the brace will be swung down until its end passes off the lower end of the recoil-surface. The amount of movement of the brace on the rib on the breech-block is just enough to carry the brace end clear of the recoil-surface. Any further movement of the brace independently of the breechblock will then be prevented by the portion F of the brace below the socket coming into contact with the breech-block. If the rearward movement of the lever-arm be continued, the breech-block and locking-brace will be revolved back together, the curved upper face of the brace moving just within and in contact with the concentric rear face of the receiver-recess.

The hammer E, which is of such thickness as to iit the slot in the locking-brace, while capable of sliding freely therein in its movements, is journaled on the pin C, the lower portion of the locking-brace being milled out or slotted at K to admit the hammer-cam E' or pivoted portion of said hammer. The slot is three-tenths of an inch in Width, so that the hammer-arm fits it closely, but can revolve freely between the cheeks or arms K K at the lower end of the block. The cam E2 is provided with the ordinary half and full cock notches in the portion which extends below the breech-block.

The trigger I prefer to make of the straight pattern and inclined well backward, so that it can be operated by a mere closing of the fingers or squeeze instead of by a pull, as in the ordinary form of trigger.

The upper arm F4 of the hammer is, as shown, curved, so as to be concentric with its movement on the pivot-pin C, and the under or inner face of the arm is at such a distance from the center of movement that it just clears the socket-rib or projection on the locking-brace. 0n its forward end the hammerarm is provided with the iiring-pin e, which is preferably made separate and screwed into place, as shown.

The breech-block is milled out at c to allow the hammer end to travel far enough forward to cause the firing-pin to project through the opening e2 in the block a sufficient distance to fire the cap on the cartridge. About one-sixteenth of an inch I have found to be a sufficient amount of protrusion of the pin for this purpose. The forward end of opening e2 is made only large enough to admit the passage of the point of the firing-pin. From such forward end the opening flares backward to correspond with the shape of the pin. The solid connecting portion L, between the cheeks or arms F3 F3 of the locking-brace FQ is, as shown, cut away and curved 011 its upper side to correspond with the curvature of the under side of the arm F4 of the hammer when the brace is thrown up, as ,in Fig. l, with its bearing end resting against the recoil-surface G. The portion L is rounded at its rear end L', and from this point its under surface is curved forward, inward, and slightly upward for a short distance and then downward to the lower edge of the portion of the brace belowthe socket. Arearwardlyprojecting tongue L2 is thus formed, which at its rear end has a rounded bearing-surface. This tongue I make, preferably, one-quarter of an inch in length, though this length can be varied as desired, as can the proportions of the other parts set forth herein, without departure from my invention.

The upper face or side of the main or radial arm M of the hammer is shaped to correspond with and iit closely the lower side of the portion L of the locking-brace when the parts are in the positions shown in Fig. l-that is, when the breech is closed and locked by the locking-brace and the hammer is down as when the gun is fired. The outer side U of the portion U of the hammer-arm which iits the inwardly and upwardly curved portion of the solid connecting part L of the brace forms a cam, against which the tongue L2 bears and moves when the locking-brace is rocked on its center. WThen the brace is up in locking position and when the hammer is as shown in Fig l, the tongue L2 iits and is held between the outer side of the cam and the arm F4 of the hammer.

IOO

IIO

IZO

The rear portion of the receiver is milled out or slotted at O to allow the hammer to be swung up and down. The rear ends of the cheeks or arms of the locking-brace bear against the recoil-surfaces on each side of this slot, which is of a width equal to the distance between such arms. The mainspring P, curved upward at its forward end, bears against the under side of the radial hammerarm in the ordinary way. The guard Ris recessed on its upper and inner side to allow the spring to be carried far enough down to let the hammer be rotated back, as shown in Fig. 2.

The breech-block is at its lower or pivotal end formed on its left side with a rabbet S, concentric with its center of motion, into which is set the lower pivotal end of the extractor and ejector F, whose entire face is iush with the side of the block. From the pivotal portion an arm T extends forward below the lower face of the forwardly-projecting part of the breech-block. From the outer end of this arm there extends upward and backward the curved arm T2, whose curvature is concentric with the center of mot-ion of the ejector and the inner face of which slides over the curved upper and forward face of the part D of the block. The end of this curved arm is provided with the usual lip t, adapted to engage the flange of the cartridge in the wellknown way. The arm T2 slides in a way or curved recess t', cut in the receiver, as shown. A portion of the rear side of the pivotal portion T3 of the extractor is cut away to form the notch t2, the inner line of which is concentric with the movement of the extractor and the ends t3 t* of which are radial. A projection or lug U3 on the breech-block side plays in this notch. The lug is so situated and the notch is of such extent that the lug will be close to but not in contact with the forward end t3 of the notch when the breech is closed and the hammer down, as shown in Fig. l, but will strike against the end t4 of the notch after the breech-block has been revolved back through a little over half of its possible movement. By such engagement of the lug and notch end the extractor will then be turned back with the block as the revolution of the latter is continued, and the car- {ridge-shell will be loosened and extracted by the backward movement of the upper end of the extractor.

To cause the extractor to act as an ejector also and throw the cartridge clear of the barrel, I notch the lower side of the pivotal portion Ts at U2, the forward side or end of the notch being inclined, as shown. Against the face of the portion T3 bears the rounded end of the spring V, so situated that the inclined end of th'e notch will be brought over the spring end by the revolution of the extractor as the breech-block approaches the limit of its revolution. The action of the spring as it presses up against the inclined end of the notch is to force the lower end of the extractor and ejector rapidly forward and the upper end with a quick motion to the rear, so that -it will throw out the loosened cartridge-shell the breech-block said portion need not be cut I away at all for it, and consequently there is no opening, recess, or rabbet in the upper face of the block into which dirt or dust can get.

The rear end of the receiver is milled out from the rear the width of the receiver up to the line u u, so that the ribs V V are left on each side of the slot through which the hammer revolves back. As the curved front faces of these ribs forming the rear end of the receiver-recess are to act merely as directrices for the locking-brace in its movements within the recess, said ribs need not be of any considerable. thickness. This milling out of the rear end of the receiver is merely for the sake of lightening the gun by removing all unnecessary metal. It can therefore be done or not, and the extent to which it is done can be varied, as desired.

The operation of my invention is as follows: With the parts in the positions shown in Fig. l the breech-block is closed and the lockingbrace is up in position to lock the block against any backward revolution. Its rear end rests squarely against the recoil-surface G. vIf now the hammer be cocked, the brace will still be held up in its locking position by the action of the spring below the socket-joint and between the lower portion of the brace and the rear face of the breech-block. This spring tends to normally keep the brace up in the position shown in Fig; 1. Vhen it is desired to open the breech, the locking-brace-lever arm is pulled backward. By this movement of the arm the brace is first swung down on its socket-j oint until its lower side strikes the rear face of the breech-block. This revolution of the brace on its pivot or socket is just sufficient, as shown in Fig. 3, to carry the rear end of it down of of the recoil-surface and to bring the curve of the upper surface of the' brace into concentricity with the curve of the rear wall of the receiver-recess below the recoil-surface. Further backward movement of the brace-lever arm will then cause the breech-block and brace to revolve back and down together Within the receiver, the upper face of the brace sliding along the curved surface of the rear wall of the recess in the receiver. The swinging down of the brace on its' pivot before the breech-blockbegins to revolve and when the hammer is down,as when the gun is red, causes the hammer to be swung or IOO carried back, as shown in Fig. 3, so that its firing-pin is Withdrawn a considerable distance from the front of the breech-block. The retraction of the upper end of the hammer continues until the brace reaches the limit of its motion independent of the breech-block. It is caused by the action of the rounded end of the tongue L2 riding up on the cam-surface on the hammer-arm M and so forcing the hammer down and the back farther away from the rear side of the breech-block. W'hen the limit of the downward swing of the brace on its pivot is reached, the tongue passes off of the cam-surface and rests on top of the hammer-arm. As the block and brace are revolved farther back by the brace-lever arm, as described above, the hammer is thrown back with them, its position with relation to the breech-block, just described, being maintained. As the block is revolved the extractor and ejector acts, as already described herein, to rst loosen and then throw out the cartridge-shell.

Vith my construction asjust described by a single motion throwing back the brace-arm the breech-block is thrown back to open the breech, the old shell is extracted and thrown clear of the barrel, and the hammer is cocked. To fire the gun, the breech-block with its locking-brace can, if desired, be swung up to close the breech independently of any motion of the hammer. My breech mechanism is, however, especially designed to avoid the necessity of so closing the breech and locking the breech-block before the trigger is pulled. With the parts as shown in Fig. 2 if the trigger be pulled to cause the sear to release the hammer the latter will be thrown up by its mainspring, and as the tongue L2 on the locking-brace rests on top of the ham mer-arm M the brace and breech-block will be driven upward and forward by and with the hammer until the breech-block closes the breech, as shown in Fig. 3. As the tongue L2 rests on the top or upper face of the hammer-arm, some of the force of the blow of the hammer will tend to throw the locking-brace end outward and rearward as the line of the pressure of the hammer against the tongue falls outside or to the rearof the pivotal center of the brace. The curved face of the rear wall of the receiver-recess prevents such movement of the brace while it is down in the receiver; but as soon as the breech-block reaches the closed position, as shown in Fig. 3, the brace is free to be thrown upward under the force of the hammer and the stress of the spiral spring alreadydescribed. It will therefore fl y quickly up into place, so that its end rests against the recoil-surface, and the hammer, as the tongue within the brace iiies up, will travel forward independently of the brace and fire the cartridge by the firing-pin protruding through the breech-block and striking the cap. When the brace begins to swing up on its pivot, as it does as soon as its end reaches the lower edge of the recoil-surface, the tongue on the solid part within the brace slides along the inclined side of the cam and offers no resistance to the motion of the hammer. The brace is moved up so quickly by its spring and by the action of the cam upon the tongue L2 that there is no perceptible delay in the motion of the hammer or diminution in the force of its stroke.

It will be observed that the hammer cannot be thrown forward so that its iiring-pin can protrude through the breech-block until the breech is closed and the locking-brace is in position with its end engaging and resting against the entire recoil-surface. As long as the locking-brace is down below the recoilsurface, as shown in Fig. 3, the tongue L2, resting on top of the hammer-arm, positively prevents the hammer and firing-pin from reaching the block at all. As the hammerarm strikes the solid tongue within the middle of the brace, there can be 11o tendency of the parts to twist or get out of line or bind.

As the breech-block vis positively locked automatically when the gun is fired with the block open, and as it is absolutely impossible for the hammer to reach the cap with its firing-pin until the locking-brace is thrown up into position to bear against the entire recoilsurface, it is obviously perfectly safe to 'lire my gun with the block up or down, as desired.

The gun so constructed can be fired very rapidly, as only three motions are necessary: one to open the breech, eject the cartridgeshell, and cock the hammer; one to put in a new cartridge, and one to pull the trigger, close and lock the breech-block, and fire the piece.

There is no projection on the face of the breech block which could iire the center prime-cap as the block strikes the end of the cartridge, but there is a hole opposite the center of the cap.

Vhen the hammer is at the half-cock with the sear in the safety-notch, the locking-brace cannot drop or swing down by accident off the recoil-surface, so as to allow the breechblock to fall back, for the tongue L will come in contact with the cam on the hammer-arm.

The spiral spring described serves to hold the locking-brace up into operative position when the breech-block is swung up to close the breech and the hammer is at full-cock. The spring, however, is not depended upon to throw the brace up into position when the gun is fired with the block open. The cam on the hammer engaging the tongue within the lockingbrace does this with absolute certainty before the cap can be reached, all as shown in the drawings and hereinbefore set forth and described.

If desired, a pin can be provided on the side of the block fitting an opening t5 in the brace-lever arm,'as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5.

I do not claim or intend to cover by my claims in this application a breech-block in combination with a locking-brace pivoted to ICO IIO

the block and the hammer engaging a leverarrn attached to the brace at one side thereof, as such a construction is fully shown, described, and claimed in my United States Patent No. 201,970. My construction and combination of parts as claimed in this application are intended as an improvement upon the construction set forth in such patent.

In my breech mechanism as now claimed the hammer engages directly a portion of the brace itself, thus making the locking most sure, steady, and safe.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isl. In a breech mechanism for firearms, in combination with a movable breech-block, a

locking-brace pivoted thereto, an abutment carrying a recoil-surface, a hammer engaging a portion of the locking-brace, so as to force the breech-block toward a closed position,and to move the locking-brace into locking position, when the breech-block is in position to close the breech, and means for limiting the swing of the locking-brace with reference to the breech-block, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a breech mechanism for rearms, in combination with a movable breech-block, a locking-brace pivoted thereto, an abutment carrying a recoil-surface, a hammer engaging the locking-brace when the latter is oft of the recoil-surface, so as to force the breech-block toward its closed position, and to move the locking-brace into contact with the recoil-s urface, when the breech-block is in a closed position, means for limiting the swing of the locking-brace, with reference to the breechblock, and a spring for actuating the hammer, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. In a breech mechanism for iirearms, in combination with a movable breech-block and a locking-brace pivoted thereto, an abutment having a suitable recoil-surface, a hammer having a portion to engage a part of the locking-brace, when the latter is off of the recoilsurface,and the breech-block is open,whereby the pressure of the hammer, upon the lock-1 ing-brace, acts to throw the breech-block into its closed position, and the locking-brace into contact with the recoil-surface, and a suitable guide to prevent the swing of the lockingbrace under pressure of the hammer, until the breech-block has moved into closed position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In combination with a pivoted breechblock, an abutment carrying a recoil-surface and the iiring-hammer, a locking-brace pivoted to the rear side of the breech-block, and having a portion to be engaged by the hammer,when the locking-brace is down oft of the recoil-surface, the point of contact between the hammer and locking-brace being at such a point, that the line of direction of the pressure of the hammer, under stress-of the mainspring, upon the brace, will be to the rear of the pivotal center of the brace, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. In combination with the pivoted breechblock, the locking-brace pivoted to the rear side thereof and having its rear end curved on a circle described from its center of motion engaging a correspondingly-curved recoil-surface, the directrices or guides for the rear end of the brace when it is rocked down oft of the recoil-surface, curved on a circle described from the center of motion of the breech-block, the tongue or projection on the locking-brace, and the hammer-arm provided with a recess adapted to receive the tongue on the brace and having a cam-surface on its inner side up over which the tongue rides as the brace is rocked down on its pivot, substantially as and for the purpose described.

6. In combination with the breech-block, the locking-brace pivoted thereto provided with a cam tongue orprojection, an abutment carrying a recoil-surface, the hammer -prolvided with a cam engaged by this tongue, so

shaped that as the locking-brace is swung down otf its recoil-surface, the tongue will ride up the face of the cam and will pass oft the cam-surface and rest on the upper side of the hammer-arm as the brace reaches the limit of its rocking motion on its pivot, and a suitable guide or guides for the rear end of the brace as it is carried back with the breech-block below the recoil-surface, substantially as and for the purpose described.

7. In combinationwith the pivoted breechblock, the locking-brace pi voted the reto, slotted at its rear end and provided between the arms thus formed with a tongue or projection, an abutment carrying a recoil-surface, the hammer adapted to move up through the slot in the brace and provided with a cam-surface adapted to engage the tongue on the brace, and guides for the rear end of the brace below the recoil-surface, curved from the center of motion of the breech-block, and with such radius as to keep the brace swung downward and inward on its pivot with its tongue resting on the top of the halnmer-arm while the end of the brace is below the recoil-surface, substantially as and for the purpose described.

8. In combination with the pivoted breechblock, an abutment carrying a recoil-surface, the locking-brace pivoted to the rear side of said block, slotted vertically at its rear end to allow the passage of a portion of the hammer and adapted when swung upon its pivot to rest against said recoil-surface, the tongue on the brace between the arms forming the rear end thereof, the hammer pivoted on the same pin with the breech-block, provided with a cam-surface adapted to be engaged by the tongue on the brace, all so combined that as the brace is swung down off its recoil-surface, the tongue will ride up the cam-surface, and carry the hammer back and then pass oft the IOO IIO

Surface and rest on top of the hammer-arm, substantially as and for the purpose described.

9. In combination with the pivoted breechblock, an abutment carrying a recoil-surface, the locking-brace vertically slotted at its rear end, pivoted to the rear side of the block by a socket-joint adapted to allow sufiicient Inotion of the brace to carry the rear end of the brace off the recoil-surface, a spring tending to keep the brace normally up in lookin g position, the hammer pivoted on the same pin with the block and playing up through the slot in the brace, the cam-tongue on the brace and the cam on the hammer adapted to be engaged thereby as the brace is swung on its pivot, all substantially as and for the purpose described.

l0. In combination with the pivoted breechblock, the slotted locking-brace pivoted to the rear side thereof by a socket-joint, and

provided at one side with a suitable lever-v arm, the recoil-surface of such extent that the brace end passes off of it as the brace is swung down to the limit of its motion on its pivot, the hammer pivoted on the same pin with the block, the cam on the hammer, the tongue or projection on the brace adapted to engage the cam on the hammer and ride up and olf of the inclined outer face thereof onto the top of the hammer-arm, as the brace is rocked down off of its recoil-surface, and suitable guides below such surface adapted to engage the rear end of the brace, when below the recoil-surface, to prevent the brace from being swung upward or outward on its pivot by the hammerarm bearing against its tongue, substantially as and for the purpose described.

l1. In combinationfwith the pivoted breechblock having the curved forwardly-projecting portion adapted to close the receiver-recessin front of the block as the latter is swung back, the extractor and ejector pivoted on the breech-block pin, extending out in front of and over such projecting portion and provided at its upper end with a suitable lip or shoulder to engage the flange of the cartridge, substantially as shown and described.

12. The combination of the pivoted breechblock, an abutment carrying a suitable recoilsurface, the locking-brace F pivoted thereto by a socket-joint, and slotted centrally and vertically at its rear end, the tongue or projection L2 on the brace, the hammer passing up through the slot in the brace, and provided on its radial arln with a cam surface U' adapted to be engaged by the tongue L2, as the brace is rocked down off its recoil-surface, the guiding-ribs V', V', at the rear of the receiver-recess, the brace-lever arm H and the spring f2 tending to keep the brace normally up in locking position, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 23d day of May, 1891.

JAMES M. WHITTEMOR Witnesses:

HENRY C. HAZARD, CHAs. J. WILLIAMsoN. 

